Inflatable ball



Apri? 5, 1938- D. r-:vlNsoN 2,113,467

INFLATABLE BALL Filed Aug. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Shea?I 1 April 5, 193s. D1L'EVINSN 2,113,467

INFLATABLE BALL Filed Aug. 14, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 l-nUe/Tzl? nDa/vzld Lamm/60114 @77 im, mi," @n y ,m4-J

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Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED STATES INFLATABLE BALL 1 David Levinson,Chicago, Ill., assigner to Standard Sports Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application August 14, 1935, Serial No. 36,113

6 Claims.

The invention relates generally to balls and more particularly to aninflatable ball such as a basket ball, volley ball, soccer ball, or thelike comprising broadly a cover with an inflatable bladder. Y

The general object of the invention is to provide an inflatable ballhaving a new and improved form of lacing for an opening in the cover ofthe ball, through which the bladder may be inserted, the lacing beingsuch that it provides proper balance for the ball and does not projectbeyond the normal surface of ball to affect the accuracy of the bounceof the ball when struck at that point.

It is also an object to provide an inflatable ball of the foregoingcharacter in which the cover may be adequately reinforced adjacent thelacing but without employing any stitching exposed on the outer surfaceof the cover and thus subject to wear.

A still further object is to provide an inflatable ball having a lacingof such character that the lace is protected against wear from abrasionby external contact and hence may be of smaller size than thoseheretofore employed.

Still another object is to provide an inflatable ball having theforegoing construction and provided with a flap extending across theopening to insure complete closure thereof even though there is atendency to gap.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a ballembodying the feature of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the exterior of the ball toshow the lacing.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig 2 but showing the interior of the cover.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but of a modied form of ball.

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 4 and 5 but of the modifiedform.

Figure 9 is another view of the modified form' of the ball shown inFigures 7 and 8.

In inflatable balls, such as basket balls, volley balls, or soccerballs, one of the common forms as heretofore made employed a lacing forclosing the opening for the insertion of the bladder,

the lacing extending over the outer surface of the ball for shortdistances in passing from one aperture to another in the cover. Such aform of lacing had a number of disadvantages, the chief of which wasthat the lacing materially affected the bounce of the ball, if the ballstruck on the lacing. Thus, it tended to deaden the bounce when sostruck, and to make the bounce inaccurate as to direction. The lacingwas also subject to wear due to abrasion by the surface struck, and as aresult a fairly heavy lace was required. Because of the stress on thecover of the ball around the apertures through which the lacing passed,pieces of reinforcing, such as strips of leather, were positioned on theinterior of the cover, and were held in place by stitching extendingthrough to the outer surface of the ball. This stitching was alsosubject to wear, and after a time would break and loosen. thereinforcing strips. The lacing, in this type" of ball, caused the edgesof the cover at the opening to lie flat. This, however, necessitatedcutting away part of the cover at these edges for the length of theopening, since where the cover was seamed the edges were turned nwardly.

A ball of the so-called laceless type was developed, in which no lacingat all was employed. In this type, a portion of one of the seams of thecover section was left unsewed, or loosely sewed, to allow for insertionof the bladder. The latter was secured to the interior of the cover at apoint spaced from said seam, where there was an opening for theinflation of the bladder, a suitable form of valve structure beingemployed therewith. After the bladder was inserted, the open seam wasclosed by stitching or by tightening the stitches already there. Such aconstruction avoided wear on a lacing and did not affect the bounce ofthe ball. But it meant that the ball had to be returned to the factorywhenever the bladder had to be replaced or repaired, because users ofthe ball were not sufficiently skilled or did not have the properequipment to resew the ball. Such a ball also had the disadvantage ofnot being properly balanced, in that there was not part of the structureto counterbalance the valve structure.

A ball embodying the features of the present invention has theadvantages of both of the above-mentioned types of balls without theirattendant disadvantages. Generally, the preferred embodiment comprises alacing for drawing two sections of the cover together in such a mannerthat the edges of the sections turn in-y wardly to provide an externalgroove in which the external portions of the lacing wholly lie. Thelacing will thus not affect the bounce of the ball, since it will notcome in contact with the surface struck, and also will not be subjectedto abrasion. The lacing therefore may be somewhat smaller than thelacings heretofore employed, so that it may readily lie within thegroove. The lacing also permits access to the bladder so that the lattermay be readily replaced without necessitating return of the ball to thefactory. The apertures in the cover sections open into the externalgroove, and may be reinforced by internal strips of leather. To attachsuch strips to the cover. a line of stitching through the cover may beplaced nearer the edge of the sections than the apertures, so that thisstitching lies within the groove and is thus protected from wear. Asecond line of stitching may also be used on the opposite side of theapertures and such stitching may extend only through the lining and notto the exterior of the cover. Wear due to abrasion is thus avoided onthe stitching as well as on the lacing. With this type of lacing, thenecessity of cutting away the cover sections at the opening is avoided.

As shown in the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the ball comprisesa cover preferably made of a plurality of sections ID of leather, alining II usually of heavy fabric, and a bladder I2. The lining II isalso preferably made in sections similar to the cover and the liningsections and cover sections are stitched together at their edges. Thecover sectionsare preferably seamed together by stitching I3 (see Fig.3) which extends through and turns the edges of the respective coversections inwardly in side-by-side relation, the stitching I3 alsoextending through the lining sections. Part of one such seam is leftunsewed to provide an opening for the insertion of the bladder I2, andis closed by means of a lacing indicated generally at I4. In order tobalance the ball, the valve structure, shown at I5 in Fig. 1, for theinflation of the bladder, is positioned diametrically opposite thelacing I4, so that the two with the related parts counterbalance eachother.

The lacing is so placed in the cover as to turn the edges of the coversections inwardly. To this end, a row of equally-spaced apertures I6 areprovided in each cover section closely adjacent the edge thereof withthe rows extending the full length of the bladder insertion opening. Thelacing extends through the apertures I6 in such a manner that the innerportions of the lacing extend longitudinally of the opening and theexterior portions of the lacing extend transversely of the opening.Thus, the transverse stress of the lacing causes the edges of the coversections to turn inwardly, and the necessity of cutting away the edgesof the cover sections at the opening is avoided.

To lace the opening in this manner, the mid point of the lacing ispositioned on the interior of the ball at one end of. the opening, andthe ends of the lacing pass out through the adjacent ,'aperture I6. Ifit is desired to employ two shorter laces they may be knotted together,as at I1, and the knot is thus the mid point. The two ends of the laceare then carried transversely of the opening on the exterior of the balland pass back through the two apertures I6. Internally, the lace iscarried longitudinally of the opening on the respective sides thereofand out through the next pair of apertures I6. Externally the ends ofthe lace are again carried transversely to reenter the cover through theopposite aperture. This is repeated until the opening is completelylaced. The lacing thus has a pair of external portions I8 extendingtransversely of the opening at each pair of opposed apertures I6, and apair of internal portions I9 extending parallel to the opening from.each aperture to the next in its row.

At the end of the opening opposite the end where the lacing was started,the ends of the lace, after they enter the cover through the last pairof opposed apertures I6, are carried out between the two cover sectionsand then longitudinally of the opening, preferably passing between therespective portions I8, as shown at in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. At the startingend of the opening, the portions 20 may be tucked under both portionsI8, which is sufficient to hold the lacing in place. At the ends of theopening, the inturned edges of the cover sections may be notched as atto provide space for the knot I'I at one end and the inturned portionsof the lace at the other end.

When laced in this manner, and the lacing is drawn tight, the edges ofthe cover sections turn inwardly, as they do at the seams because of thestitching I3, and an external groove, indicated at 2|, is formed on theball by the bending of the cover sections. This groove has a widthslightly greater than the space between the opposed rows of apertures I6and is of such size that the external portions I8 and 20 of the lacinglie wholly within the groove. They thus lie within the normal perimeterof the ball and will not be subjected -to abrasion by the surfaces whichthe ball strikes when in use. Since the lacing is not subjected to wearfrom this source, it may be lighter or of smaller cross section than theformer type of lacing which was subject to such wear. It therefore willt more snugly in the groove than if it were larger.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of reinforcingstrips for the cover adjacent the aperture I6, similar to the stripsused in former types of laced balls, but sewed in such a manner that thestitching will not be exposed at points where it can be worn byabrasion. As shown herein, said strips comprise elongated pieces ofleather 22 positioned internally of the lining II and extending from theedge of the opening outwardly therefrom beyond the apertures I6. Tosecure the reinforcing strips 22 to the cover, each strip is sewed tothe cover by a line of stitching 23 located between the edge of thecover section and the row of apertures IE, and by a second line ofstitching 24 on the other side of the row of apertures. The line ofstitching 23 preferably extends clear through the cover, but on theexterior, it is located within the groove 2I and under the lacing sothat it is protected against abrasion. The other line of stitching 24extends merely through the lining I I so that it is not exposed on theexterior of the ball.

When the ball is inflated, the stress on the lacing is transmitted tothe cover reinforced by the pieces 22. However, should such stress tendto draw more on the lining than the cover because of the fact that thereinforcing pieces are not secured to the cover proper beyond theapertures IB, the stress is in turn transmitted to the cover proper bythe lining because the lining is made in sections secured at their edgesto the cover. There will thus be no tendency for the lacing to draw thelining tighter than the cover.

In the modified form of ball shown in Figs.

6, 'l and 8, I have provided a construction whereby full closure of theopening is insured, even though there is a tendency for the opening togap upon ination of the ball. To this end, a flap 3U, preferably ofleather, is secured adjacent the opening inside of the coverV andextends across the opening. Thus, even though there should be a tendencyfor the opening to gap, the flap 3i! constitutes a closure therefor.Preferably the flap 30 is secured to one of the reinforcing pieces 22 bythe line of stitching 24 which thus also secures the flap to the liningl I The flap may be of the same length as the opening, and to avoidcausing a bulge by the ap, the edges of the cover sections, togetherwith the lining and reinforcing pieces, may be cut away as at 3| fcr thelength of the opening. Thus, the flap will lie within the cut-away areato avoid bulkiness on the inside of the ball at the opening.

From the above description, it will be apparent that I have provided aninflatable ball possessing the advantages of both the old type of lacedball and the so-called laceless ball without the disadvantages thereof.The lacing will not cause inaccuracy of the bounce of the ball whenstruck at that point, since it lies within the normal perimeter of theball, but does provide proper balance for the ball by counterbalancingthe weight of the valve structure. Since the lacing lies within thenormal perimeter of the ball, it is not subject to abrasion, so that alace of relative small cross section may be used. The apertures for thelacing may be reinforced by strips sewed to the cover in such a mannerthat the stitching is also protected against abrasion.

I claim as my invention:

l. In an inflatable ball, a cover having a bladder-insertion openingwith a plurality of spaced apertures in the cover arranged along therespective sides of and closely adjacent said opening to receive alacing, a lining Within the cover, a lacing extending through saidapertures and drawn tight to turn the edge portions of the coverinwardly at said opening and thereby forming an external groove in whichthe lacing lies, and a pair of reinforcing pieces located on the4interior of the lining along the respective sides of the opening, eachof said pieces being secured by two lines of stitching, one of saidlines extending through the cover but within said groove, and the otherline extending merely through the lining.

2. In an inflatable ball, a cover having a bladder-insertion openingwith a plurality of spaced apertures in the cover arranged along therespective sides of and closely adjacent said opening to receive alacing, a lining within the cover, a lacing extending through saidapertures and drawn tight to turn the edge portions of the coverinwardly at said opening and thereby forming an external groove in whichthe lacing lies, and a pair of pieces for reinforcing the cover at saidopening and located interiorly of the lining, said pieces being securedin place by stitching extending through the cover only within saidgroove. Y

3. In an inflatable ball, a cover having a bladder-insertion openingwith a plurality of spaced apertures in the cover arranged along therespective sides of and closely adjacent said opening to receive alacing, a lining within the cover, a lacing extending through saidapertures and drawn tight to turn the edge portions of the coverinwardly at said opening and thereby forming an external groove in whichthe lacing lies, and a pair of pieces for reinforcing the cover at saidapertures and located interiorly of the lining, each of said piecesbeing secured in place by a line of stitching extending through thecover and located between said apertures and said opening whereby thestitching lies within said groove, and a line of stitching beyond theapertures but extending only through the lining.

4. An inflatable ball comprising, in combination, a cover comprising aplurality of sections secured together at their edges, a lining for saidcover comprising a plurality of sections similar to the cover sectionsand secured to the edges thereof, two sections of the cover be1ng leftunsecured to each other for a given length to provide abladder-insertion opening, a lacing for closing said opening, and a pairof reinforcing pieces for reinforcing the cover adjacent said lacing,each of said pieces being held in place by a line of stitching extendingonly through the lining, the stress on each of said pieces caused by thelacing being transmitted to the lining by said line of stitching andthence to the cover by the securement of the lining sections to thecover sections.

5. An inflatable ball comprising, a cover having a bladder-insertionopening, a, lacing for closing said opening and constructed to turn theedges of the cover at said opening inwardly, and a flap secured to thecover on the inside thereof along one side of the opening and extendingacross the opening to insure closing thereof, the inturned edges of thecover being cut away for a depth at least equal to the thickness of theflap so that the flapmay lie within the cut-away area to avoidbulkiness.

6. An inflatable ball comprising, a cover having a bladder-insertionopening, a lining within the cover, a lacing for closing said openingand constructed to turn the edges of the cover at said opening inwardly,a pair of reinforcing pieces for reinforcing the cover along said edgesadjacent the lacing and secured to the cover adjacent said edges and tothe lining alone by a line of stitching laterally beyond the lacing, anda flap extending across the opening on the inside of the ball andsecured at one edge by said line of stitching, the other edge of theflap being free.

DAVID LEVINSON.

